The bands origin dates back to 1992 when Pekka Kokko, guitarist Anssi Seppänen and drummer Petri Sankala founded a band called Ancestor. In the following two years, the band issued the demos Ethereal Devotion and No Strings Attached and welcomed Pekka’s brother into the fold. Several more demos with names like Tomorrow and Under The Burbot`s Nest was recorded before the band changed its monicker. The band had also lost two of its founding members.

Kalmah recorded its debut for Finland’s Spinefarm. This disc was also licensed to Century Media for America. Sneck joined the band in 2004. The band’s biggest success came with The Black Waltz, which entered the Finnish charts in early 2006. In January of that year the band announced its intention to embark on a Canadian For The Revolution tour in April of 2008. The gang’s fifth full-length album, For The Revolution, was out in April. It was recorded at Tico Tico Studio.

KALMAH - SWAMPLORD - SPIKEFARM
Unfortunate choice of album names for this Finnish newcomer band, for Kalmah has very little associated with dirt, sludge or swamp. Utilizing a clean sound for the most part, these very skilled musicians (including several Eternal Tears of Sorrow members) are part speed metal part No Fashion-like deathrash. One can't be certain what the label thinks this band's potential is, but the arrival of the CD without a tray, sleeve or cover probably doesn't bode well. So much more surprising to hear that, despite the disappointing appearance of Finland's national affliction the keyboard on the rare occasion, Kalmah is a good, tuneful speed metal band whose vocal and guitar delivery are well above average and occasionally outright inspiring. Tuned rather high and sounding up beat at times, the band delivers a proficient guitar-laden speed metal attack the dream of bands working on album number three or four - imagine Walls of Jericho era Helloween with harsher vocals and up-dated sound. Were the band to drop the weak synthesizers, concentrate on making pure metal and see to it that the label accords the band a little more respect ( ie not calling the band 'trash metal' - sigh!), it would be easy to see a bright future for Kalmah. - Ali "The Metallian"